Have there ever been
times in your life when you needed some guidance?... some direction
in life, or a bit of help making a major decision? Where did you
turn? To a trusted friend? A family member? An astrologer or
psychic? Maybe you found some helpful direction from these sources,
or maybe not. Did you ever wish that there was a higher source of
wisdom and guidance you could turn to? One that is free from human
bias, whose wisdom is absolutely trustworthy? This higher source of
guidance does indeed exist, and is closer than you may imagine. It
is always available to you.

Each
of you has at least one spiritual guide that is "assigned"
to you, and stays with you throughout your life to assist you as
needed. (This is not the same as your guardian angel.) You also have
what is called your Higher Self. Your Higher Self is that part of
your consciousness that is one with Spirit, and therefore, always in
touch with the Higher Cosmic Wisdom. Your spiritual guide and your
Higher Self assure that there are at least two higher sources of
guidance available to you.

Now even though this
higher guidance is always available to you, when you begin
meditating and traveling your spiritual path, an interesting shift
occurs. The light of your Inner Spirit begins to shine more
brightly, and this light becomes a sort of beacon, signaling those
in the higher spiritual realms that your spiritual journey has truly
begun. To assure that your journey goes along in harmony with the
cosmic plan, you begin to attract various teachers and guides to
fill special needs for your soul's growth.

These wise and
loving beings, who are present to help you travel your spiritual
path, gently and quietly suggest possibilities and positive choices
whenever needed. However, this must be done without interfering with
your free will. This is very important, because cosmic law dictates
that your freedom of choice cannot be taken away. This is especially
true here on Planet Earth, where learning to make choices is an
essential part of the curriculum. So your guides won't make your
decisions for you, or tell you what you "must" do. Rather,
they will gently whisper suggestions, and then leave the rest up to
you.

This effortless
collaboration with your guides is occurring more than you may know.
Much of the time when you are making life choices, you are receiving
higher guidance. (I'm not referring to mundane choices, such as
which kind of breakfast cereal to buy, but choices that have a
reasonable impact on your life or the lives of others.) You may not
be aware of it, but your guides are there, assisting you.

For
example, have you ever been heading somewhere and had a sudden urge
to stop at a place that wasn't on your planned itinerary, only to
run into an old friend. Perhaps this friend has some information for
you - or vice versa - that turns out to be quite meaningful. Or
perhaps your meeting leads to some positive new opportunity for one
or both of you. These kinds of synchronicities begin to occur more
frequently for those traveling their spiritual path. And what's
behind them? It's your spiritual guides whispering gentle
suggestions in your ear. This guidance process can be easy and
spontaneous... part of the natural dynamic of your life.

Speedbumps on the
Path

However, sometimes
you may go through periods when it seems as though the choice-making
process is a struggle. You may feel confused, ambivalent, or
completely clueless. At these times, something is obstructing the
clear flow of inner guidance, as well as the clarity of your own
thinking process. What causes this? The most common cause is the
constricting anxiety that comes from "over-importantizing"
decisions... giving too much weight to the outcome.

What often adds to
the anxiety, is the notion that there is one right choice, and we
have to discover what it is. There is a tendency to feel - either
consciously or unconsciously - that if we make the right choice, The
Universe will smile upon us, doing everything possible to support
us. Our road will be smooth and easy. Everything will work out
perfectly... the right choice will lead us to nirvana.

But if we make the wrong
choice... take the wrong road, we fear that we will encounter
countless obstacles, and nothing will work out favorably. Although
we may blame "the Universe" for making this road so hard
to find, it is generally the anxiety of thinking we must find the
one right way that makes it difficult.

Now, sometimes there
is one choice that is more in harmony with your soul's plan, and may
well lead to greater joy than the other choices. However, when this
is the case, The Universe does not obscure it just to see if you can
find it. That would serve no positive purpose. On the contrary, it
tends to post signs flashing "this way," all around you,
and in every corner of your psyche. And if you do happen to choose
another route, The Universe does not withhold it's unconditionally
loving support because of it.

However,
quite often there is not just one road that you are meant to take,
but several possible roads, leading to several "possible
futures" that will all bear fruit in some way. And all will
have their joys as well as their challenges. From the higher cosmic
perspective, your soul's growth is the top priority, and life is set
up so that even the dumbest choices will open a doorway to growth
and valuable spiritual lessons.

Follow Your Bliss

If you ask for
higher guidance, more often than you may imagine, your guides will
encourage you to do what you love, i.e. to follow your heart's
desire... your highest ideal. Or as the great mythologist, Joseph
Campbell put it, to "follow your bliss." Of course, that
excludes anything that will cause anyone any harm. Such choices may
catalyze a feeling of elation or excitement within you when you
think about them.

On the other hand,
there may be occasions when your higher guidance will encourage you
to do what's best for all concerned, even if it does not seem so
blissful. In such cases, you most likely know what to do already,
but may try to ignore it, hoping your guides will get you off the
hook with an easier course to take.

When you begin to
understand these dynamics of choice and of working with your guides,
things tend to lighten up considerably. You begin to feel free of
the pressure, and are less likely to over-importantize, and agonize
over decisions. Choices start to come more easily... sometimes
instantly, sometimes emerging and taking shape gradually. You begin
to trust more in your instincts and intuition. And when you aren't
all knotted up with anxiety, you are way more receptive to the
gentle whisperings of your spiritual guides. So the whole process
once again becomes a spontaneous collaboration between you and your
higher guidance.

Inviting Higher
Guidance

Of course, there may
still be occasions when a major life choice is not perfectly clear,
and you feel the need for some extra help. At these times, it's best
to turn within and ask for higher guidance. In such cases, the same
principle holds true... the more you can relax and not get all
knotted up with anxiety over the outcome, the easier it is to be
receptive to your guides. For these occasions, here's an easy
exercise you can do to get in touch with your Higher Self when you
need some guidance.

Sit
comfortably with your eyes closed. Breathe easily and naturally.

Imagine yourself
in a place where you feel completely comfortable and at peace.
It may be somewhere in nature, a room where you feel very
comfortable... wherever you feel most at peace.

Picture a being
of light approaching from a distance. You can see that this
being is radiating great peace, love, and wisdom.

As he or she
reaches you, you realize that it is your Higher Self.

Invite your
Higher Self to sit with you. Notice how you feel completely at
home and at peace in it's unconditionally loving presence.

Briefly explain
the situation to your Higher Self, and ask for his or her
guidance.

Then you can
either sit quietly, waiting for the response... or you can carry
on a dialogue with your Higher Self.

You may receive an answer immediately, or after a short time. Your
Higher Self may give you an answer in the form of words, symbols,
pictures, or just a deep knowing. The answer may be very specific,
or it may come in the form of a higher truth, which sheds enough
light on the situation to help you choose wisely. If you don't
receive an answer while you are sitting, it's ok. You have still
begun the guidance process, and that's important. Once you have
begun the process, your guidance will most likely find you at a
moment when you are not trying to find it.

Guidance from your
Higher Self or your spiritual guides should always be gentle, and
feel kind, compassionate, and accepting. It should never be a
command (except in rare, life threatening situations requiring
instant action). If a guide tells you that you "must" do
this or that, it is not your Higher Self or a higher spirit guide.
Simply disregard the advice, and ask it to move along.

Remember, you are
being gently guided and lovingly cared for at all times. The more
you learn to trust this, the easier it will be for your Higher Self
and spiritual guides to assist you, and the more harmonious and
enjoyable your journey will be.

We hope you've enjoyed the lecture. If you would like to receive our weekly mailing - a short meditation quote and tip to encourage meditators to stay on track with their practice - click here. All information you submit will be kept absolutely private.